Formation of patterned media by selective anodic removal followed by targeted trench backfill

ABSTRACT

A method is disclosed for defining discrete magnetic and non-magnetic regions on the magnetic film layer of a storage media substrate. The method applies anodic oxidation of a cobalt-containing magnetic film layer to remove cobalt, followed by controlled deposition of a non-magnetic matrix into the regions where the cobalt has been removed. Deposition may either be electrodeposition, collimated vacuum deposition, or other methods depending upon the composition of the non-magnetic matrix being deposited. The method may be performed in a single electrochemical cell.

FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to the formation of patterned media or discrete track media for use in storage media. Specifically, this disclosure relates to the deposition of a non-magnetic matrix to form patterned media or discrete track media.

BACKGROUND

Bit patterned media (BPM) and discrete track media (DTR) are becoming more popular media for storage because of their inherent abilities to store more data in a smaller area. The goal of BPM and DTR and other patterned media is to increase bit density. However, manufacturing methods for BPM and DTR are complicated, expensive and inconsistent.

BPM media are typically formed by using lithography to define the pattern on the media substrate. Once the pattern is defined, the translation of the pattern to the media substrate is typically an additive or subtractive process. An additive process, e.g., electrodeposition and lift-off, requires steps of creating a resist pattern and then depositing a magnetic film layer. In contrast, the subtractive process begins with the deposition of a magnetic film layer followed by resist patterning. The resist pattern may serve as an etch mask such that the surrounding magnetic film may be removed by ion milling, reactive ion etching (RIE), wet chemical etching or other processes. An issue with these types of etching is that they are not very selective in defining magnetic and non-magnetic regions on the magnetic film layer. As a result, etching does not always result in consistently higher bit densities.

Other methods have been reported with varying results. For example, focused ion beams (FIB) poisoned with gallium (Ga⁺) have been used in order to created discrete magnetic islands (also referred to as “dots” or “bits”) smaller than 70 nm in diameter. However, magnetic film layer modification using FIB is not readily scalable to mass production.

What is therefore needed is a way to define discrete magnetic and non-magnetic regions on a magnetic film layer that is both efficient and scalable to mass production.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Embodiments of this disclosure are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of individual bit cells in a bit-patterned media.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary flow diagram illustrating the steps of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an image illustrating an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an image illustrating an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a medium undergoing a method embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary chart illustrating an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary chart illustrating an embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary chart illustrating an embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an exemplary flow diagram illustrating the steps of an embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a medium undergoing a method embodiment.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

An embodiment includes a method for forming patterned media by selectively oxidizing a cobalt-containing magnetic film layer on a medium substrate, then depositing or “backfilling” a non-magnetic matrix in the regions of the cobalt-containing magnetic film layer where the cobalt was removed. An embodiment includes an electrochemical cell for selectively oxidizing a cobalt-containing magnetic film layer to remove cobalt, and then backfilling the removed cobalt with a non-magnetic matrix.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A method for forming patterned media is disclosed herein. The patterned medium is formed by selective anodic oxidation of a cobalt-containing magnetic film layer on the medium substrate, then depositing or backfilling a non-magnetic matrix in the regions of the cobalt-containing magnetic film layer where cobalt was removed. By way of example, FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary storage medium 104 comprising an array of magnetic dots 108 in a magnetic film layer. Each magnetic dot 108 is capable of storing a single bit of information. A typical magnetic film layer may be comprised of cobalt (Co) and platinum (Pt).

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of an exemplary oxidation-reduction method in which the removal of cobalt from the media substrate and backfilled with a non-magnetic matrix in a single electrochemical cell, or “one-pot” method. As will be explained further below, the progress of the reaction may be attenuated by lowering the current applied to the single electrochemical cell. In FIG. 2, the electrochemical cell contains an electrolyte solution comprised of H₂PtCl₆, H₃BO₃ and NH₄Cl. The PtCl₆ ⁻² species in the electrolyte solution may act as the oxidizing agent while at the same time providing the Pt species for the non-magnetic matrix. In an embodiment, the pH level of the electrolyte solution is 5.0.

In block 201 of FIG. 2, a CoPt magnetic film is sputter or otherwise deposited onto a seed layer of a media substrate. The seed layer may be a ruthenium (Ru) seed layer or other equivalent layer. In block 203 of FIG. 2, Co is selectively removed from the magnetic film layer by selective anodic oxidation by lowering the current or potential in the electrolyte solution. This step may also be referred to herein as “anodic removal” or “AR.” AR will leave tracks or bits of 1.0-5.0 nm in the magnetic layer where CoPt is left behind, and grooves or trenches in the magnetic layer where Co has been selectively removed. FIG. 3 is an example of a transmission electron microscopy (“TEM”) image of DTR media in which Co has been selectively removed from the magnetic film layer, leaving behind a 2.0-3.0 nm groove. One skilled in the art will appreciate that when viewed through a scanning electron microscope (“SEM”), a top-down view of DTR media which has had Co selectively removed using AR will show less dense, more porous, labyrinth-like microstructures in the areas exposed to AR as compared to the areas not exposed to AR.

One skilled in the art will appreciate that removing Co from a CoPt-containing magnetic film layer may leave Pt remaining in the grooves or trenches. This may be confirmed by observation with a cross-sectional TEM and nano-energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (“nano-EDX”), in which the grooves or trenches may show a strong Pt signal as compared to areas not exposed to AR. One will appreciate that as a result of the remaining Pt, the interface between the CoPt bits and the exposed Pt layer may form a galvanic cell that can enhance the corrosion rate of the remaining CoPt between anodic oxidation and the following rinsing or drying steps. However, because the method of FIG. 2 occurs in a single electrochemical cell, the opportunity for CoPt corrosion is significantly reduced. In block 205 of FIG. 2, the Pt in solution will be electrodeposited into the grooves left from the removed Co from block 203 of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a TEM image of DTR media in which an overabundance (˜20 nm) of Pt has been electrodeposited into the grooves. One will appreciate that the excess Pt may be stripped in order to provide a substantially flat media surface.

One skilled in the art will also appreciate that removing Co from a CoPt-containing magnetic film layer using an oxidation process may leave a non-conductive oxidized film in the groove, as shown in FIG. 3. This may inhibit electrodeposition, since it is generally preferred that the surface upon which electrodeposition takes place be generally conductive. In order to encourage electrodeposition of Pt into the grooves, the medium may require pretreatment, such as pre-wet cleaning, chemical activation, cathodic reduction or other methods. Pretreatment may ensure that the surface of the grooves is generally conductive and the surface of the tracks or bits is non-conductive.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a medium undergoing the method of FIG. 2. In block 501 the media substrate may comprised of a photoresist (“PR”) layer, a magnetic layer and one or more underlayers beneath the magnetic layer. The media substrate may be descummed in block 503 in order to remove foreign contaminants or residue. In block 505 of FIG. 5, the media substrate undergoes AR as described in block 203 of FIG. 2. In block 507 of FIG. 5, the trench or groove left from the AR process may be backfilled with the electrodeposition of Pt, NiPt (“NiP”) or other platinum-containing compounds. In block 509 of FIG. 5, the media substrate may be stripped to form a substantially flat surface. In block 511 of FIG. 5, the carbon overcoat (“COC”) may be deposited onto the media substrate.

As mentioned previously, the progress of the electrolyte reaction may be controlled by lowering the electric potential (measured in volts (V) vs. saturated calomel electrode (SCE)). One skilled in the art will appreciate that the voltages applied in the examples disclosed herein are merely exemplary and that other ranges are possible without departing from this disclosure or the scope of the appended claims. For example, FIG. 6 is a chart of a rotating disc electrode (RDE) voltammetry study run in H₂PtCl₆ solution at a range from pH 2.0 to pH 5.0, and illustrates that Pt may be deposited at potentials more negative than −0.4 V vs. SCE (shown as −400.0 mV in FIG. 4). As shown, FIG. 7 illustrates that selective anodic removal of Co from CoPt in an H₂PtCl₆ solution having a pH of 5.0 occurs at a peak potential of E_(p)=0.018 V vs. SCE. Pt oxidation can occur at E_(p)=0.45 V vs. SCE. One will appreciate that the rate of reaction may also be controlled by varying potential. In an embodiment, the method illustrated in FIG. 2 may be completed in 20 seconds. During the first 10 seconds at +0.3 V vs. SCE, selective removal of Co from the CoPt magnetic layer occurs by anodic oxidation. During the second 10 seconds, when potential is stepped to −0.4 V vs. SCE, Pt⁴⁺ is reduced to Pt and electrodeposited into the trenches left by the removed Co. This rate of reaction is illustrated in the chart of FIG. 8.

One will appreciate that electrodeposition may be used to backfill other non-magnetic matrices containing other metals besides Pt. For example, a metal or alloy containing Pt, Ru, Ni, P, Cu, NiPt, CuNi, etc., may be electro-deposited into the trenches formed by the anodic removal of Co in block 203 of FIG. 2. electrodeposition may be more desirable than other deposition methods, such as vacuum deposition, since it may provide an even deposition of certain non-magnetic matrices without disturbing the tracks or bits left from the oxidation step. As a result, a low cost media fabrication process is provided because the need for post backfill lift-off or other CMP processes is obviated.

Even though electrodeposition may be a preferred method for backfilling the magnetic layer, one will appreciate that vacuum deposition methods may be used as well. For example, if a media manufacturer wants to use a metal or alloy containing Cr, Ta, NiTa, Ni, Ti and/or Cu, or use other non-magnetic matrices, it may employ alternative methods without departing from the scope of the appended claims or this disclosure. FIG. 3 illustrates a method using collimated vacuum deposition of Cr. In the method of FIG. 3, the anodic oxidation step may not occur in the same reaction vessel, or “one-pot” as the deposition step because it requires different conditions.

In block 901 of FIG. 9, a CoPt magnetic film is sputter deposited onto a seed layer, which may be a Ru seed layer or other equivalent layer. In block 903 of FIG. 9, Co is selectively removed from the magnetic film layer by selective anodic oxidation to leave tracks or bits in the magnetic layer where CoPt is left behind, and grooves or trenches in the magnetic layer where Co has been selectively removed. In block 905 of FIG. 9, Cr is deposited into the trenches using collimated vacuum deposition techniques.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a medium undergoing the method of FIG. 9. FIG. 10 is similar to FIG. 5, except that Cr is deposited using collimated vacuum deposition rather than electrodeposition. In block 1001, the media substrate may comprised of a photoresist (“PR”) layer, a magnetic layer and one or more underlayers beneath the magnetic layer. The media substrate may be descummed in block 1003 in order to remove foreign contaminants or residue. In block 1005 of FIG. 10, the media substrate undergoes AR as described in block 903 of FIG. 9. In 1007 of FIG. 10, the trench or groove left from the AR process may be backfilled with the collimated vacuum deposition of Cr. In block 1009 of FIG. 10, the media substrate may be stripped to form a substantially flat surface. In block 1011 of FIG. 10, the carbon overcoat (“COC”) may be deposited onto the media substrate.

One will appreciate that the methods describe herein disclose methods for controlled deposition into a trench formed by anodic oxidation of a cobalt-containing magnetic film layer. Because the deposition is controlled, little to no planarization of the magnetic film layer is required following deposition. This offers a significant advantage over milled (IBE) patterned media which typically has a trench depth of about 20 nm.

According to an embodiment, a result of one or more of the methods described above is a cobalt-containing magnetic film layer overlaying a medium substrate, the cobalt-containing magnetic film layer containing a plurality of magnetic portions separated from each other by a nonmagnetic matrix. One will appreciate that the magnetic film layer does not have to be directly deposited upon or in contact with the medium substrate, and the magnetic film layer may be separated from the underlying medium substrate by one or more interlayers. Using one or more of the methods described above, the nonmagnetic matrix may comprise an electrodeposited metal selected from the group consisting of platinum, ruthenium, nickel and copper. In addition, the nonmagnetic matrix may comprise a vacuum deposited metal selected from the group consisting of chromium, tantalum and nickel.

One will appreciate that in the description above and throughout, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding. It will be evident, however, to one of ordinary skill in the art, that an embodiment may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to facilitate explanation. The description of the preferred embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. Further, in the methods disclosed herein, various steps are disclosed illustrating some of the functions. One will appreciate that these steps are merely exemplary and are not meant to be limiting in any way. Other steps and functions may be contemplated without departing from this disclosure or the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A method for forming a patterned medium on a substrate comprising the steps of: depositing a cobalt-containing magnetic film layer onto the substrate; selectively removing cobalt from the cobalt-containing magnetic film layer; and depositing a non-magnetic matrix in the regions of the cobalt-containing magnetic film layer from where cobalt was selectively removed.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of patterning a resist on the top surface of the deposited cobalt-containing magnetic film layer such that the patterned resist forms a mask on the top surface of the cobalt-containing magnetic film layer.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of selectively removing cobalt and depositing a non-magnetic matrix are both performed in a single electrochemical cell.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of selectively removing cobalt and depositing a non-magnetic matrix are both performed in an electrolyte solution containing H₂PtCl₆, H₃BO₃ and NH₄Cl.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-magnetic matrix comprises platinum.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of selectively removing cobalt comprises applying anodic removal/oxidation.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of depositing a non-magnetic matrix comprises electrodeposition.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the deposited non-magnetic matrix comprises a metal or alloy selected from the group consisting of platinum, ruthenium, nickel, phosphorus and copper.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of depositing non-magnetic matrix comprises vacuum deposition.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the deposited non-magnetic matrix comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of chromium, tantalum, titanium, nickel and copper.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of selectively removing cobalt from the cobalt-containing magnetic film results in the formation of a plurality of magnetic islands.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of selectively removing cobalt from the cobalt-containing magnetic film results in the formation of a plurality of magnetic tracks.
 13. A method for forming a patterned medium on a substrate comprising the steps of: selectively oxidizing a cobalt-containing magnetic film layer of the substrate in an electrochemical cell with an electrolyte solution comprising H₂PtCl₆, H₃BO₃ and NH₄Cl in order to remove at least a portion of cobalt from the cobalt-containing magnetic film layer; and depositing a non-magnetic matrix in the regions of the cobalt-containing magnetic film layer from where cobalt was selectively removed.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of depositing the non-magnetic matrix comprises electrodeposition.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the deposited non-magnetic matrix comprises a metal or alloy selected from the group consisting of platinum, ruthenium, nickel, phosphorus and copper.
 16. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of depositing non-magnetic matrix comprises vacuum deposition.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the deposited non-magnetic matrix comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of chromium, tantalum, titanium, nickel and copper.
 18. The method of claim 13, wherein the selectively oxidizing and depositing steps are performed in a same electrochemical cell.
 19. An electrochemical cell comprising: an electrolyte solution of H₂PtCl₆, H₃BO₃ and NH₄Cl at a pH level from 2.0 to 5.0; an application of current sufficient to adjust the electric potential of the solution from −0.4 V vs. SCE to 0.45 V vs. SCE; and a cobalt-containing magnetic film layer of a substrate capable of being selectively oxidized by the electrolyte solution, wherein the rate of oxidation is controlled by the application of current.
 20. The electrochemical cell of claim 19, further comprising a non-magnetic matrix capable of being deposited onto the cobalt-containing magnetic film layer, wherein the rate of deposition is controlled by the application of current.
 21. The electrochemical cell of claim 20, wherein the non-magnetic matrix comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of platinum, ruthenium, nickel, phosphorus and copper.
 22. A patterned medium comprising: a substrate; and, a CoPt-containing magnetic film layer on the substrate comprising a plurality of discrete magnetic dots separated by a plurality of discrete non-magnetic grooves, the plurality of discrete magnetic dots formed by selective removal of Co such that the plurality of discrete magnetic dots are 1.0-5.0 nm higher than the plurality of discrete non-magnetic grooves.
 23. The patterned medium of claim 22, wherein the plurality of discrete magnetic dots contains more Pt than the plurality of discrete non-magnetic grooves.
 24. The patterned medium of claim 22, wherein the plurality of discrete magnetic dots is less dense and more porous than the plurality of discrete non-magnetic grooves.
 25. The patterned medium of claim 22, wherein a non-magnetic matrix is deposited in the plurality of non-magnetic grooves.
 26. The patterned medium of claim 25, wherein the deposited non-magnetic matrix comprises a metal or alloy selected from the group consisting of platinum, ruthenium, nickel, phosphorus and copper.
 27. The patterned medium of claim 25, wherein the deposited non-magnetic matrix comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of chromium, tantalum, titanium, nickel and copper. 